NEW: Disney working on stand-alone 'Star Wars' films

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 6:08 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 6:08 a.m.

In this publicity photo released by Lucasfilm Ltd., actor Jake Lloyd portrays Anakin Skywalker, a young Darth Vader, in "Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace." Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger says screenwriters Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are both working on standalone ?Star Wars? movies not part of a new planned trilogy. Iger told CNBC on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, that the standalone movies will be based on ?great 'Star Wars' characters that are not part of the overall saga."

Lucasfilm Ltd., via AP

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger said Tuesday that screenwriters Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are working on stand-alone "Star Wars" movies that aren't part of the new trilogy that's in the works.

"There has been speculation about some standalone films that have been in development, and I can confirm to you today that in fact we are working on a few stand-alone films," Iger told CNBC.

Iger said the movies would be based on "great 'Star Wars' characters that are not part of the overall saga." The films would be released during the six-year period of the new trilogy, which starts in 2015 with "Star Wars: Episode VII."

Disney confirmed last month that "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams will direct the seventh installment of the "Star Wars" saga.

Disney bought "Star Wars" maker Lucasfilm last year for more than $4 billion.

The last "Star Wars" trilogy, a prequel to the original films, was released from 1999 to 2005.

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